Is M-Sport worth it?

[01svtL]

Is there an actual mechanical difference between one 135i with M-Sport and one without? I know the wheels and front seats are different, but is there anything under the hood or suspension that makes it different?

[Vigilante375]

It comes with a thicker steering wheel, better shifter (manual drivers), suspension and some body work plus a M door sill. Though I'm not 100%. It adds nothing to increase the engine power or appearance.

I believe people have said the seats were worth the package but I've never been in a non-M Sport 1 series.

[Cmoney135i]

it actually doesn't change the suspension on 135i's

Black headliner - Probably the best part
m sport steering wheel
m sport door stills
m sport branded wheels


I can't remember if the top speed limiter is a factor is m-sport or a different package, you can use a bmw vin decoder to see the options a particular car has.

[1smokehouse]

I have both. My 128i is non-m-sport and my 135i has the M-Sport package. I would say the seats alone are definitely worth it. Night and day difference. I also like the lower suspension. Here's the package list from MY2013:

ZMP M Sport Package
2MR 18" Light alloy Double-spoke wheels style 261M-with
performance run-flat tires
(18x7.5, 215/40 R18 front and 18x8.5, 245/35 R18 rear)
481 Sport seats
704 Sport suspension
710 M steering wheel
or 7XA M Sports leather steering wheel with paddle shifters
715 Aerodynamic kit
760 Shadowline exterior trim
775 Anthracite headliner
840 Increased top speed limiter

[ShocknAwe]

Seats. Do it for the seats. Good lord. Don't think, just do it. Don't buy an E82 1er without Sport/M-Sport.

Can't imagine who the non-sport seats were designed for. Fat folks don't fit in these cars.

[Dthltm]

Originally Posted by 01svtL

Is there an actual mechanical difference between one 135i with M-Sport and one without? I know the wheels and front seats are different, but is there anything under the hood or suspension that makes it different?

You need to define "it" before we can answer the question accurately.

[crowtrobot]

Can't speak for the 135, but I can't imagine the 128 without the Sport seats.

You'll want them eventually, and I'm sure the price difference in the used market right now is not worth having to pay to source them later.

[doublevanosrc]

HELL YES!!

[Level3]

Yes... the seats alone are worth it. Upgraded shifter, door sills, steering wheel, headliner, etc. In the used market the markup for M version isn't that much as it was new. It's totally worth it to find an M version.

[smrtypants44]

You only lose one thing going m-sport on the 135i-heated steering wheel

[davis449]

The seats. Would never, ever buy a BMW of any kind without the Sport Seats.

[gregthegr8]

To answer your question whether anything mechanically or suspension-wise is different, for the 128, yes, the suspension is different, but on the 135, there's nothing mechanically different with the m-sport package. Others have already pointed out the other cosmetic and other differences, most notably, the sport seats.

Having owned a 135 without the sport seats and then one with, I would definitely agree with everyone else and that if I were looking for ones, I would definitely make the sport seats a must have. In later years of production though, you could actually option the sport seats a la carte without having to get the full m-sport package. You couldn't do that in 2008, but I know you could in 2013. So, there's a rare chance you can find one with the sport seats, but not the full m-sport package. However, I would definitely try to get one with the full package as it's really nice and includes so many nice upgrades.

The sport/m-sport steering wheel is also lovely and beefy and feels great compared to the stock wheel.

[tock172]

M-Sport is mostly aesthetic on the 135i. As others have said, M-Sport suspension and exhaust were both standard on all US-market 135i.

That being said, I absolutely love the style 261M wheels, perforated leather on the steering wheel, shifter and handbrake and of course the black headliner. Could I live without these things? Sure, but I like having them. The price differential between an M-Sport and a regular sport package 135i is negligible. There's no reason to not go after what you want.

[MightyMouseTech]

For the seats and steering wheel it is worth every penny!

[Stewy_604]

Hell yes...I'll mirror the above, its worth it!

[Esteban]

Agree as others have said, Sport seats and M steering wheel are a must on these cars. Just too nice to do without. Don't need (or even want) ///Ms on the door sills, I like the anthracite headliner. Already changed wheels from 261m style wheels to the 313s. Personally, never really liked the 261s (no offense to those you do like them), increased top speed limiter is nice but I probably will never go 150 or 155 mph or whatever it is anyway. Did I say the Sport seats and M steering wheel are a must?

[Matticus91]

I hate the BMW M-Sport seats....




















Kidding lol

[blue135]

Have had Sports Seats in other BMWs, but not in my 135i. This E88 is great for me even w/o seats. The one thing I wish I had was the M-Wheel. Course I am heavy than many people.

As to Wheels, wanted 261s right after I got the car, (came w/17" (142, I think). Then I saw 313s and found a set of the BMW Performance version. Love them on the car.

Everybody has given you good thoughts, but what do you want?

[inFamousKicks]

For me, the seats are great, but the black headliner alone makes it worth it :

[a4nut]

Yup. Worth every penny.

[Ric in RVA]

Seats, Black Headliner and Fat wheel.....

The M stands for Mandatory.....

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by Ric in RVA

The M stands for Mandatory.....

I thought it stood for Mo money.